Muscovites are calling them “zombie pigeons.” Corpses of those that don’t survive have been spotted across the city.

Russia’s chief sanitary official, Gennady Onishchenko, said Friday that veterinarians had concluded the pigeons were suffering from salmonella poisoning. Earlier, reports had suggested the birds were suffering from Newcastle disease, which can be passed to humans.

Mr. Onishchenko, known for his colorful pronouncements on the state of the nation’s health and food supply, said he wasn’t particularly concerned that the birds were suffering, as long as people are all right.

“The grubbiest and one of the stupidest birds,” Mr. Onishchenko said of the creatures at a press conference Wednesday, Interfax news agency reported.

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Emerging Europe Real Time provides sharp analysis and insight into what’s making news in Central and Eastern Europe. Drawing on the expertise of our reporters in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Russia and Turkey, the site provides an inside track on economics, politics and business in this emerging part of the European continent.